Hong Kong police hold rally to support jailed officers

Feb.23, Beijing: Thousands of Hong Kong police officers have staged a rally in support of seven policemen jailed for assault last week. They were sentended to two years in jail for beating a handcuffed protester during the 2014 pro-democracy demonstrations.

The sentence angered many officers, who believe it was unjust and too harsh.

About 33,000 people attended Wednesday night's gathering at a police recreation ground, according to police associations which organised the event.

Organisers said they would help the jailed officers appeal against their convictions and clear their names, reported RTHK. Many were heard yelling "Fight for justice" at the two-hour rally, one of the largest of its kind and a rare sign of police dissent.

The seven officers were sentenced to jail last week for assaulting social worker and activist Ken Tsang in 2014.

TV cameras had caught the officers removing Mr Tsang from the protest area to a nearby park and kicking and punching him as he lay on the ground.

It came at the height of the massive street protests calling for greater political freedom, which shut down central areas of the territory for weeks.
The incident shocked Hong Kong, where police are generally well regarded, media reports said.

Tsang was himself found guilty of assaulting and resisting officers on the same evening.